10/17/2025
MEET JIM FREEMAN, Pipe Organ Technician
Interview by John Reilly, Central Florida AGO chapter
Note: do you worry about maintaining your organ? This is for you!
In the Spring of this year, several members of our Central Florida American Guild of Organists Executive Committee suggested that we interview organ tuners that are working and doing maintenance in Florida. In this Chapter Newsletter I interviewed Mr. James Freeman of Freeman's Repairs & General Services Inc. This is the interview:
Can you give me a brief description of your business and what areas you specialize in with pipe organ maintenance?
My name is James Freeman, and I operate Freeman's Repairs & General Services Inc. a pipe organ tuning and maintenance service in Callahan, Florida, just north of Jacksonville. We have been in business full-time since 2001. My firm services approximately twenty-seven organs in North Florida, Southeast Georgia, and Southeastern South Carolina. I also assist four other organ builders in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. I have been a member of The American Institute of Organ Builders since 2009 and have good working relations with several APOBA firms. My firm specializes in tuning and all types of maintenance and repair of electro-pneumatic and electro-mechanical actions of all types. We also specialize in control system repair, low voltage, and circuit protection upgrades and/or replacement. We are called frequently for consultation and evaluation concerning pipe organ installation.
Where did you get your training for pipe organ maintenance?
I started the training process part time in 1983, assisting a now retired organ technician in the installation of Rodgers electronic/pipe combination organs and working with pipe voicers who would tonally finish the organs. I later worked with another local organ builder who trained me in leather replacement, tonal regulation, and tuning. Much of my experience has been on the job, attending workshops and seminars through the AIO and consultation with other colleagues and associates.
What has been your experience with working with churches that have a pipe organ?
Most churches appreciate their instruments and try to budget adequately for regular service. I am blessed with a very loyal and appreciative clientele, many who have been with me for over twenty years. With the ups and downs of the economy, many smaller churches are struggling to maintain older instruments that need major repair or rebuilding; they are balancing major aging building maintenance along with pipe organ maintenance. One thing that I regularly find is churches not doing due diligence in seeking repair or replacement of their instruments. A qualified builder (large or small) should be able to provide references and contacts, have proof of a business license and/or articles of incorporation, provide proof of proper insurance and/or exemptions, and be willing to show examples of their work.
What are some significant projects you have recently completed in Florida?
The Mary and David Halladay residence organ in 2015. New build with case, renovated console and new Virtuoso control system. four ranks, ten stops, three hundred and sixteen pipes.
Southside Baptist Church, Jacksonville, 2016/2017. This was a complete mechanical rebuild of 1964 M.P Moller three manuals, twenty-eight ranks, console renovations, tonal additions, tonal regulation, electrical and winding upgrades and new Peterson ICS control system.
St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Jacksonville, 2017/2018. This consisted of console renovations, mechanical, electrical and winding upgrades, tonal additions, new Peterson ICS control system and tonal regulation of a 1994 Wicks, two manuals, twenty -one ranks.
First Christian Scientist, Winter Park, 2019. Relocation of M.P. Moller Double Artist. (Removed from old church to storage 2017, installed in new building 2019). Two manuals, six ranks. Wiring, circuit protection, winding and mechanical upgrades.
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Jacksonville, 2021 - 2023. This work included pouch board and pitman rail re-leather, console renovations. 1929 Skinner, four manuals, forty-seven ranks.
Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach. 1996 Casavant, 2024. Installation of a new Syndyne 8400 control system. Two manuals, twenty-eight ranks.
Would you encourage young people to pursue a career in pipe organ maintenance?
There is a recognized shortage of qualified organ technicians across the industry. There are several larger firms across the country that have apprentice programs with younger employees learning the trade but there is still a severe shortage. There are also several firms that have joined together and offer training seminars led by trade professionals to try and encourage young people to pursue a career in the industry. Those of us that are nearing retirement age are trying to find successors with little sucess. To pursue this career takes a special person with discipline, the desire to learn (tuning, mechanical repair, understanding different types of wind chest actions, understanding low voltage and NEC requirements, basic control system operation, leather repair), and should ideally but not necessarily have a musical background. They must be willing to travel, work long hours and be willing to endure hard physical labor. In addition, many pipe organs are hard to access and difficult to maneuver in (depending on the installation), and the battle for proper temperature for tuning and service is many times a challenge. The technician must be willing to listen and communicate with the client and properly evaluate what is needed during a service visit. It can be a rewarding career but, like any other career it takes determination and endurance. The sad reality in this day and age is that there are not many young people willing to put in the years of training and discipline it takes to master any career or trade, especially a craft as demanding as pipe organ building and maintenance. It is a very high art and takes much dedication.
James, what other things would you like to share with us?
I have been a church organist for 52 years and have been the organist at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Georgia for the last twelve years.
Jim’s contact information
Phone: 904-699-7711
Email: [email protected]
Members and readers, please suggest other tuners you have experience with and who you think we should interview for our next newsletter.
